Gibson Custom Murphy Lab 1961 ES-335, Heavy Aged, 60s Cherry Overview
The Gibson 1961 ES-335 Sixties Cherry Heavy Aged is an exceptional Historic Reissue crafted by Gibson’s Custom Shop, designed to recreate the look, feel, and sound of the original 1961 ES-335. This reissue captures every detail of the iconic semi-hollow guitar from Gibson’s golden era, featuring the authentic styling, aging, and craftsmanship that guitarists seek for vintage tone and aesthetics. Here’s an overview of its key features:
Body & Construction:
- Shape: ES-335 (Semi-Hollow)
- Body Material: 3-Ply Maple/Poplar/Maple – The combination of tonewoods contributes to the guitar’s balanced and resonant sound, providing rich lows, clear mids, and sparkling highs.
- Weight Relief: None – Maintains the solid, vintage construction for the true tonal experience of the original.
- Binding: 1-Ply Royalite – Subtle binding adds a touch of vintage elegance.
Neck & Fingerboard:
- Neck Material: Solid Mahogany – Known for its warmth and sustain.
- Neck Profile: Authentic '61 Skinny C-Shape – SlimTaper neck scanned from an original 1961 model, offering fast playability.
- Nut Width: 1.687" (42.85mm) – A standard width for comfortable fretting.
- Fingerboard: Indian Rosewood, fitted with hide glue for vintage authenticity and a rich tone.
- Scale Length: 24.75" (628.65mm) – Standard Gibson scale for easy string bends and a warmer tone.
- Number of Frets: 22 frets
- Nut Material: Nylon – True to the original, contributing to the smooth feel and vintage tone.
- Inlays: Pearloid Dot – Classic dot inlays for a clean, minimalist look.
Hardware:
- Bridge: Lightweight Aluminum Stop Bar – Known for its excellent sustain and resonance.
- Tailpiece: Aluminum Stop Bar for lightweight durability.
- Knobs: Black Top Hats with Silver Inserts – Vintage-style knobs for a classic aesthetic.
- Tuners: Kluson Single Line, Double Ring tuners – Heavily aged nickel finish by Murphy Lab, providing a relic aesthetic.
- Plating: Nickel, Murphy Lab Heavy Aged – The heavy aging simulates decades of wear, giving this guitar the unique character of a well-loved vintage piece.
Pickups & Electronics:
- Neck Pickup: Custombucker Alnico 3 (Unpotted) – Recreates the tone of vintage PAF (Patent Applied For) pickups, known for their clarity and harmonic richness.
- Bridge Pickup: Custombucker Alnico 3 (Unpotted) – Delivers authentic, vintage-style tone with detailed dynamics.
- Controls:
- 2 Volume, 2 Tone controls
- CTS 500K Audio Taper Potentiometers for smooth, accurate adjustments.
- Paper-in-Oil Capacitors – For a more vintage tone circuit, providing warmth and clarity.
Finish & Aging:
- Finish: Sixties Cherry – A classic Gibson finish applied using Nitrocellulose lacquer for vintage authenticity.
- Aging: Heavy Aged by the Murphy Lab – Gibson’s top artisans replicate decades of playwear, with realistic dings, checking, and hardware patina, making this guitar feel like an original from the early '60s.
Case:
- Case: Black/Yellow Custom Shop Hardshell – Vintage-styled case to protect this historic reissue.
